La escalera de caracol

In the beginning of the Twentieth Century, a serial-killer is terrorizing a small town, killing women with imperfections. In the Warren manor, the mute servant Helen (Dorothy McGuire) nurses Mrs. Warren (Ethel Barrymore) who is terminal in bed. The newcomer Dr. Parry (Kent Smith) falls in love for Helen and has the intention to take her to specialists in Boston for treatment for recovering her voice and marry her. When the reckless Steve Warren (Gordon Oliver) arrives from Europe, he stays in the mansion with his mother and his stepbrother Professor Albert Warren (George Brent) and has a brief affair with Albert's assistant Blanche (Rhonda Fleming). When a crippled woman is killed in the town, Mrs. Warren advises Helen to leave the house immediately since she is in danger. When a murder occurs in the mansion, Helen does not know who is trustful to help her to call Dr. Parry to rescue her.

"The Spiral Staircase" is a suspenseful stylish movie, with a magnificent black and white cinematography that follows the German Expressionism and wonderful set decoration in Victorian style. It is impressive the use of shadows and lights in many unforgettable scenes, like for example Blanche in the basement or Helen in the spiral staircase. The beginning is an awesome tribute to the earlier days of the cinema. The performances are excellent and it is impossible to individually highlight any actor or actress. The plot keeps the tension until the very end in this great movie. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Silêncio nas Trevas" ("Silence in the Darkness")

Being one of the last truly great thriller/mystery classics I still had lingering on my must-see list; I cherished big expectations for "The Spiral Staircase". Perhaps even a little TOO big… Don't get me wrong, it's a fantastic film and a bona fide genre masterpiece, but somehow I expected even more suspense and moodiness! Let me just get out of my system that certain sequences inside the old dark house were a bit tedious and overdone. But hey, who's complaining, since the full rest of the film is pure perfection in terms of beauty, elegance, atmosphere and scenery. It's rather intriguing how certain films, like "Freaks" or "Peeping Tom" to name just two, caused so much controversy and scandal while "The Spiral Staircase" is widely considered as an untouchable landmark even though it features similar prohibited themes like voyeurism and murder victims with a disability. The opening sequence is almost too brilliant for words. A medium sized crowed gathers in a small theater for a silent movie screening while, on the floor above them, a crippled girl prepares herself to go to sleep. The utmost evil glazing eye watches her from inside the wardrobe and strikes exactly when she lifts the gown over her head. You can't get any more expressionistic than that. After that, "The Spiral Staircase" establishes itself as the sheer archetype of old dark house thrillers. The beautiful but mute Helen is a social worker in the secluded mansion of the ailing Mrs. Warren. A heavy thunderstorm rages outside, Mrs. Warren son and stepson argue over their life styles (and the lovely secretary Blanche) and the rest of the household staff either turns to alcohol or complains about the stubborn matriarch. Both Mrs. Warren and her doctor urge Helen to leave town. Could it be the maniacal killer is inside the house? This film is a rarity. Even though it doesn't require an Einstein brain to figure out the killer's identity, you honestly don't care that much and remain glued to the screen to admire how the Gothic atmosphere unfolds further. Director Robert Siodmak – a German immigrant in America following WWII – truly masters the cinematography and Victorian set pieces. He also manages to include the thunderstorm as an extra – and essential – supportive character. Speaking of the cast, I dare you to name a so-called 'damsel in distress' more amiable than Dorothy McGuire's Helen. She's a vulnerable angel, targeted by a frustrated and obsessive madman on a mission to rid the world of imperfection. Especially the women impress in "The Spiral Staircase" as I simply must also mention Ethel Barrymore as Mrs. Warren (nominated for an Oscar, even) and Elsa "Bride of Frankenstein" Lanchester as the maid with a taste for brandy.

This was an excellent suspense film with outstanding cinematography and interesting characters played by a strong cast.

There are lots of complimentary adjectives in the above sentence but the film deserves it, particularly the photography (see this on DVD). The lighting is as good as anything I've ever seen in film noir (this is not a film noir, as one reviewer correctly points out). In fact, outside of David Lean's "Oliver Twist, " this may be the best-looking black-and-white film I've seen. A good part of the visual treat is viewing the fantastic Victorian house where most of the action takes place.

The lead character, played beautifully by Dorothy McGuire, is one the viewer cares about which helps get one involved in the story. All the other characters are fun to watch, and are detailed here in other reviews. I go along with most in saying Ethel Barrymore was the most likable.

There are a few holes in the storyline, to be sure, but one doesn't care since the film movies rapidly, the story keeps you so involved and the visuals and audio are so interesting. This latter also features the longest thunderstorm on record!

This is a terrific thriller, made just the way that thrillers should be done, with nicely crafted tension, atmospheric setting, and plenty of strange and mysterious characters. Adding in the excellent leading performance by Dorothy McGuire makes it a top-notch picture.

From the very beginning, the suspense begins to build, while at the same time McGuire's character Helen immediately attracts and holds the audience's concern and sympathy. The combination works very well, and while you're never sure what else is going on, or which of the other characters can be trusted, you know that Helen is in danger and that you care about her.

The rest of the cast are all nicely matched with their characters, and do a fine job of bringing them to life. Some of the plot developments probably would prove somewhat implausible if analyzed carefully, but the story and atmosphere are crafted so effectively that you never notice while watching.

Anyone who enjoys classic thrillers should make sure to see "The Spiral Staircase".

The Spiral Staircase is one of the most eerie and atmospheric films that I have ever had the pleasure of seeing. The entire movie gives off a sense of malice throughout, and the use of music here is some of the best I've ever seen in a movie. The film's plot follows a series of murders, of which all the victims are people with imperfections. Our hero is Helen; a young mute girl that works as a nurse for Mrs Warren, an old lady that lives in a big house. Aside from the old lady, also living in the house are her two sons; Albert and Steven, along with a few other people such as the maid. As the murders are being committed on imperfect women, the old lady becomes concerned for her mute nurse and begs her to leave. When another murder is committed in the house, the danger that the young girl is in becomes more apparent.

The first thing you will notice about this hidden gem is it's striking cinematography and lush settings. The film is very Gothic, and that gives it a very foreboding atmosphere. This is without doubt the best things about the film; in a dark thriller such as this, the atmosphere is always important, and as I said; this film has plenty. The film also features a lot of intrigue. As it has many characters that could be suspects, it leaves you guessing. Playing it's cards very close to it's chest, we don't find out who is the murderer until the very last minute.

The cast of The Spiral Staircase don't excel individually, but they come together very well as an ensemble. Most of them would never make another notable movie, although the majority have rather large filmographies. Robert Siodmak takes the directors chair, and he should be commended for his work. His use of the camera is excellent; the film features numerous close-ups, and when coupled with the haunting music; it makes for a great eeriness. There is one sequence in particular where the killer is watching his would-be victim from some bushes in the rain, and that with the haunting music in the background is altogether one of the most frightening sequences ever filmed. Cinematic perfection.